Cabin camping options near Cottleville, Missouri range from basic shelters to fully furnished units. Located in eastern Missouri with a humid continental climate, the area experiences hot summers and mild winters with occasional flooding in low-lying campgrounds. Average summer temperatures reach 85-90°F, making water-based recreation popular at campgrounds with river access.
What to do
Kayaking on lake waters: St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park offers paddle boat, kayak and canoe rentals along with a 3-mile paved trail around the lake. "This park is beautiful. Located about 25 minutes from St Louis. They have paddle boats and bikes and group bikes for rental. Located right next to a lake with a lot of RV and tent camping spots," notes Joseph F. from St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Cave exploration: For underground adventures, Meramec State Park offers guided tours of Fisher Cave. "Pay the extra for the caves tour! Down the road there's an old iron foundry and a historic cemetery to explore," shares Lynn G. from Meramec State Park Campground.
Wildlife observation: Cuivre River State Park provides nature immersion with abundant wildlife viewing. "Campground is beautiful and very woodsy. We saw bunnies hopping around and when we first arrived to our site a deer was grazing nearby, such a bonus!" according to Maria E.
What campers like
Private camping areas: Klondike Park features secluded tent sites with natural surroundings. "Campsites were great. Stayed at a walk-in site for a night and enjoyed it. Some sites are closer to the highway and cars flying down the road can make it hard to sleep but after midnight, they stopped," reports Jake K. from St. Charles County Klondike Park.
Convenient amenities: Cahokia RV Parque provides practical advantages for visitors wanting close proximity to attractions. "Getting in after a long drive and seeing the on-site BBQ restaurant was a huge positive. Facilities are clean and orderly," according to Roger G. from Cahokia RV Parque.
Community activities: Families appreciate the scheduled events at Jellystone Park. "They also host daily kids activities and crafts. A very family friendly campground and would highly recommend if camping with kids!" explains Lindsey R.
What you should know
Seasonal challenges: Flooding can affect accessibility at certain campgrounds. "The City of St Peters did a great job getting this place back to usable with new sod, a new bathhouse, and some general sprucing up," explains Annie C. about St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park after flood recovery.
Wildlife encounters: Wildlife management requires proper food storage. "Make sure to store your food securely overnight - the racoons are pretty thick and hungry at night," advises Mike L. from Klondike Park.
Reservation requirements: Most cabin accommodations must be booked well in advance, especially during peak seasons. "We were checking out right before a weekend. Our site, previously not available that weekend, had opened up. The staff called to tell us that the site had opened up over the weekend and wanted to check with us before giving it to someone else," shares Mats from St. Peters' 370 Lakeside Park.
Tips for camping with families
Recreational options: Pin Oak RV Park provides multiple activities to keep children engaged. "Nice pool and an arcade area with plenty of room to hangout inside. There is a pond with some decent sized fish in it," reports Chad H. from Pin Oak RV Park.
Educational opportunities: State parks offer ranger-led programs that combine fun with learning. "The park rangers did a great job describing its history and landscape. Highly recommend taking a cave tour of Fisher Cave! So neat!" shares Loren G. about Meramec State Park.
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds have special accommodations for diverse family needs. "We are a combat military family and Meramec Caverns was so great to accommodate for my husband's PTSD. The staff put us on an end spot farther from the high traffic high noise area," explains Heather G. from Meramec Caverns Natural Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choose sites based on specific needs and limitations. "Sites in the middle seemed more crowded. Facility was clean, owners and staff were friendly," notes Chad H. about Pin Oak RV Park.
Connectivity issues: Cell service varies significantly between locations. "The campground is great. Most of the sites are flat and paved. The campground is right next to the Meramec River. There is WiFi available but it is not reliable. The cell phone service is virtually non-existent," advises Mats regarding Meramec State Park.
Seasonal pricing: Costs fluctuate based on time of year and amenities. "This campground has a lake you can rent kayaks for. They have a small store at the check in booth. It also has an accessible fishing dock that is covered. The sites for full hook ups are separate from the other sites," explains Kayla S. about Cuivre River State Park Campground.
